juniorGenetic Algorithms
What is fitness function in GA?
Updated May 16, 2026
Short answer
A fitness function evaluates how good a solution is.
Deep explanation
It assigns a score to each chromosome based on how well it solves the problem. Higher fitness increases selection probability.
Real-world example
Used in scheduling to minimize delays or maximize throughput.
Common mistakes
- Designing a fitness function that does not reflect the actual objective.
Follow-up questions
- Can fitness be negative?
- What is fitness scaling?